UT renames dorm that honored brothers in the Klan

UT board votes to change dorm name

By Jeannie Kever |
July 15, 2010

A dormitory on the University of Texas at Austin campus was renamed Thursday as regents voted to erase a tangible reminder of the nation's racial history.

Simkins Residence Hall will now be known as Creekside Residence Hall. An adjacent park will be known as Creekside Park.

The dorm, built in 1955 on the banks of Waller Creek, was named for William Stewart Simkins, a former Confederate officer who taught at the law school from 1899 to 1929 and was a leader of the Ku Klux Klan in Florida before moving to Texas.

The park had been named for Simkins' brother, former UT regent Eldred Simkins, who also was involved with the Klan.

Russell said he became aware of Simkins' history — including his open talk of actions against blacks after the Civil War - when he taught at the UT law school in the 1990s.

"There has never been any doubt in my mind about what direction they were going to go on this subject," Gary said of Powers' recommendation to change the name.

"The history behind the name is not in line with the University of Texas and its core values."

Not everyone who spoke on the issue over the past few months agreed - some argued UT shouldn't shy away from its history or that the names reflected the brothers' service to the school and not their previous actions - but Gary said the process ran smoothly.

Ultimately, he said, the decision reflects the university's commitment to diversity.